New Policy on Accommodation For Travellers

Author(s): Department for the Environment for Northern Ireland (DOENI)
Document Type: Report
Year: 1999
Publisher: DOENI
Place of Publication: Belfast
Subject Area(s): Ethnicity, Culture/Identity, Demography, Deprivation, Housing, Environment
Client Group(s) : Minority, Ethnic Groups, Travellers, Families

Abbreviations: ACT - Advisory Committee on Travellers, DOE - Department for the Environment, NIHE - Northern Ireland Housing Executive, NIFHA - Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations, NTSN - New Targeting Social Need, PAFT - Policy Appraisal and Fair Treatment, NI - Northern Ireland

Background to the Research

  • In 1996, a working party consisting of representatives from the DOE, NIHE, NIFHA and ACT was established to consider the current/future accommodation needs of Travellers, to review current/future arrangements in meeting these needs and to consider the financial and policy implications of any new policy. The working party visited various Traveller's sites and met with representatives from a variety of Travellers' projects and with Travellers' representatives.

Research Approach

  • A consultation document on the report of the working party was produced and in 1998 the Environment Minister Lord Dubs asked for views. This final report represents the end product of the findings of the working party, views submitted on the consultation document and the policy recommendations agreed by the DOE and the working party. It forms the basis of the Department's new policy for assessing the accommodation needs of Travellers and their families.

Main Findings

  • The 1993 Travellers' Census estimated that around 1,115 Travellers lived in NI, those living in settled housing accommodation and Traveller visitors were not included.
  • The main areas where Travellers are found are West Belfast, Newry, Craigavon, Armagh, Coalisland, Toome, Londonderry, Strabane and Omagh. At the time of the Census about 68% of Travellers were on authorised sites, 30% on unauthorised sites and the remainder on private sites.
  • There are 10 serviced sites in NI and District Councils can receive 100% grant aid from government to service these sites.
  • Travellers are amongst the most disadvantaged groups in NI, there is a relatively high birth rate combined with a relatively low life expectancy. Most children attend primary school but few attend secondary school. Poor living conditions on sites leads to a high level of ill-health.
  • An emphasis on equality in the Good Friday Agreement, the establishment of an Equality Commission, PAFT and NTSN and the Promoting Social Inclusion working group have ensured that Traveller issues will form part of future policy developments.

Recommendations

  • The NIHE should be given the strategic role in providing accommodation for Travellers and as soon as possible the Department will amend the legislation in order to give the NIHE and housing associations the necessary legal powers.
  • In future, Toleration Policy shall be known as Co-operation Policy and the NIHE shall take the lead in activating policy where necessary.
  • Once legislation is in place, ownership and management of all public sites will be transferred to the NIHE or a housing association.
  • In relation to Trading Travellers (who are not normally resident in NI) it is recommended that the District Councils identify possible locations for these Travellers and ensure they pay an economic rent for the site. In relation to other Travellers, provision of transit sites is the responsibility of the District Councils - who can apply for grant-aid.
  • The Department will not proceed at this time with legislation giving additional powers to move people from illegal encampments.

 
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